By Patrick Tucker,
Intern.
Public Affairs and Tax Education
In a move to decentralize its services and foster a culture of tax compliance, the National Revenue Authority (NRA) has established a network of Block Management System (BMS) containerized offices. These strategically placed units were designed to transform the taxpayer experience by bringing essential revenue services directly into communities.
The initiative addresses a critical challenge: the gap between the authority and the taxpayer. For many Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and individual entrepreneurs, engaging with the NRA was often hindered by distance and lack of understanding. The BMS offices, located in areas like Sumaila Town Junction, Hillside bypass Road, Hillcot by Old School Junction, Jui, and PMB Wellington, are designed to eliminate these barriers. "The primary purpose of these containerized offices is to take the NRA closer to the people," explained Mohammed S. Mansaray, an officer at the Hillcot location.
The services offered at these outposts are comprehensive. Officers assist community members with business registration for Tax Identification Numbers (TIN), provide hands-on support with the “ITAS” portal including account recovery and navigation, guiding taxpayers through filing returns and generating Payment Reference Numbers (PRNs) for payments.
A pillar of the BMS strategy is taxpayer education. The officers act as ambassadors, educating the public on the purpose and importance of taxation for national development. A key objective is to empower taxpayers to become self-sufficient.
"Our role is not to perform every task for the taxpayer indefinitely, but to provide them with the basic training to manage their tax affairs independently through the “ITAS” system," stated Ahmed L. Suluku an Assistant Revenue Officer at the Sumaila Town Junction, Hillside Bypass Road office.
Beyond the walls of the containers, the officers engage in proactive "shop-to-shop" sensitization campaigns. They visit local businesses to explain NRA's mandate, demystify the tax process, and compile a database of business activities within their blocks. This grassroots approach is building a bridge of trust
Abubakarr Bangura reported, an officer from the Wellington PMB outpost. "It makes our services more accessible and less intimidating for business owners."